Encouragement time

Hello everyone, Nothing encourages us more than hearing from "old friends". This board has been such a great help along my journey. The great posts of our WOW moments (which are fun to relate to), the healthy tips, the motivation to get the body moving, the times of inspiration, the stories of our successes and our perceived failures. All of those posts that used to happen on these boards were such a great help. As Gigi so eleoquently (spelling ?)shared earlier today, it is important to make time for the relationships that are important to us. Each relationship deserves the time invested to see that it grows and doesn't just go by the wayside. Obviously those relationships closest to us need the most time and investments, but what about those who are further out from our close "circle of love". So let's hear from some of those who used to post. Perhaps just a note to let us know that you're still reading the posts or lurking. Just a check in once in a while. So let's get some response from some of our "old friends": Where are you: Tammi (Bikini Bound) Kathleen Stockman Elyssa Hart (WE need you) Nicki Zimmerman Debbie Papa Rob Siers (Ok Mr. Exercise, we miss hearing from you) Come on friends post some more names and see if they respond. It is harder the further out we get but this is "THE LONG HAUL", REMEMBER? As for me, I'm back onto the exercise. Didn't realize how much I missed it. The weather is great and what better time to get out and watch the leaves change color. God bless and hope to see you at a support group this month. Elyssa please post the list again. "Healthy Journey" meets at Victory on the third Tuesday of the month, which this month will be October 17th. Have a great week and reconnect with an old friend. Life IS too short. God bless, Pastor Faye

I'm guilty!! (4 years post-op) I do run a support group, So I do keep in touch with my locals down here in Smyrna... However, I must admit that I am not on here as much as I used to be. Just finished my 3rd Bike to the Bay and it is great to see how many of you are interested in doing it next year. I'm just a click away... email me if you all ever need anything or just want to chat! Ginger

Good post Faye...you are right...Life is too short! Debbie

Hi Faye, life has een a little crazier than usual. I have been mega busy and don't get online except about 1 time a week. Sorry I have not forgotten you or anyone else. I did get updates and am posting the meetings ASAP. Keep me in your prayers dear friend. I am soooooo glad to be in good physical health to carry me through this tough time with my daughter and now my Mom. Keeping my protein and exercise up as best as I can. I'll tt you soon. Elissa

Thanks for this post Pastor Faye. I have been having computer problems at home so I don't get online as often as I'd like. I too have started an exercise program and it feels great . I went to the store on Monday and tried on a winter coat size medium . Isn't it nice to shop off the rack in any store . I am trying really hard to get in my vitamins, water and protein daily and I am staying away from sugar because I don't dump. Also I had a habit of drinking diet sodas but I try to drink Crystal Light, fat free milk, water and 4C Totally Light and this has helped curb my soda cravings. On the down side I feel so stressed at home and at work so I try to get to support meetings to connect with my WLS family because this helps to keep me grounded so that if I fall down I can get up. Once we get further out we then need to address emotional and other issues to help us keep the weight off. Love you guys! We must continue to encourage each other like this so I will try to get online more often once my computer situation gets better. Take care and hope to see you all on the 17th. Prycey Lady RNY 2/2/05

Hi everyone! SO guilty as charged!!! LOL Yep, I have been MIA for quite a while now ... but I do pop in from time to time to check in on you all, even if I don't post. Seems I don't have a whole lot to say these day (okay, stop laughing - I KNOW how funny that statement really is) so I don't do a lot of posting. Things are going pretty good around here ... would like to be smaller, taller, brighter, richer ... but hey ... things are pretty good where I landed!!! LOL I am looking at my 3 yr surgeriversary at the end of this month ... WOW, has it really been that long already? Perhaps we should start a role call thread to check in with one another?

Boy have I missed you. I had to celebrate my 3 years (10/6/2003) all by my lonesome. We really miss your input. Hope that everything and everyone is doing well. And BTW there is nothing wrong with larger, shorter, dimmer, and poor. It is hard to believe that 3 years has passed by so quickly. Best wishes on completing year #3... Now get out there and do something! Rob

(ROB) - I have missed you also!!! I was just thinking of your surgeriversary the other day and how well you have done. You have always been and continue to be such an inspiration to me. All is well in this household, how bout on your end? I just read your post on exercising ... looks like you are pretty much back up to speed after your surgery. Great news! Now about being dim, large, short and poor ... sure, nothing wrong with that BUT given my preference ... I would prefer to be on the other side of that fence!!! LOL Perhaps jumping that fence for a bit will help me accomplish that particular goal??? I know riding it sure won't help me out!!! LOL "Get out there and do something???" HAHA ... this is what I have been doing ... thus part of the reason for my not being around. Seems I am always doing something ... somewhere, somehow. Isn't life absolutely grand??? I cherish each and every day and my new ability to actually live rather than sideline my life!!! It is so good to "see" you Rob!!! So very good!!!